A recent study conducted by a team of US doctors has revealed that half of the children in U. S. with weight problems, became overweight before the age two years.

The study included more than 100 obese children and teenagers. The results concluded that more than half of them were overweight by 24 months and 90% were overweight by the age of five.

The researchers state that the median age of getting overweight was 22 months.

They recommend beginning the screening for excessive weight gain, at its earliest rather than struggling to reduce it later.

Although the reason for this rapid weight gain in young children is not understood well, as of now, contributing factors are likely to be poor diet, early introduction of solid food, and not getting enough exercise.

"What happens in the first years of a baby's life has a big effect on how healthy they are in the future. Despite recent encouraging statistics which show that childhood obesity may be levelling off, obesity levels are still too high and it is important we keep the momentum going", said the spokesman of the Department of Health.